U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz extended an invitation to moderate and conservative Democrats to come along on the “Cruz to victory” Thursday evening during a rally in Wichita Falls.

“Come join us. We welcome you with open arms,” the junior Republican senator said in his speech to a strong conservative Republican block.

Cruz appealed not only to Democrats but also Libertarians Thursday.

He appeared to take a bipartisan turn – for perhaps the first time in a Wichita Falls campaign rally this year – that was along the lines of his Democratic opponent, U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke of El Paso.

Cruz strode out on stage before a crowd of an estimated 500 in the Akin Auditorium at Midwestern State University a few minutes after 5 p.m. Thursday.

He stopped in Wichita Falls on his statewide Get Out the Vote bus tour. Most audience members stayed on their feet to cheer Cruz and boo O’Rourke.

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Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas spoke to a crowd during his re-election stop at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls Thursday evening.(Photo: CHRISTOPHER WALKER/TIMES RECORD NEWS)

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Hundreds gathered in MSU's Akin Auditorium to attend a rally with Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas Thursday night.(Photo: Trish Choate/For the Times Record News)

Cruz said that after rallies, Democrats have been coming up to him to say, “Ted, I’m a Democrat. I’ve been a Democrat my whole life, and I’m with you.”

He said the Democratic Party has gone “bat-crap crazy,” and moderate and conservative Democrats no longer feel at home.

Cruz warned those attending to vote lest the “Beto path” unfolds before them.

That way leads to impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump and newly appointed Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Cruz said.

Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas spoke to a crowd during his re-election stop at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls Thursday evening.
CHRISTOPHER WALKER/TIMES RECORD NEWS
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Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas spoke to a crowd during his re-election stop at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls Thursday evening.
CHRISTOPHER WALKER/TIMES RECORD NEWS
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Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas gave autographs during his re-election stop at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls Thursday evening.
CHRISTOPHER WALKER/TIMES RECORD NEWS
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Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas spoke to a crowd during his re-election stop at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls Thursday evening.
CHRISTOPHER WALKER/TIMES RECORD NEWS
Caption Override CHRISTOPHER WALKER/TIMES RECORD NEWS

Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas spoke to a crowd during his re-election stop at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls Thursday evening.
CHRISTOPHER WALKER/TIMES RECORD NEWS
Caption Override CHRISTOPHER WALKER/TIMES RECORD NEWS